Spartans, Warriors remain a game back in SCC boys race

The Sun Valley boys responded from a tough loss on Friday with a 49-34 victory over Parkwood Tuesday night.

The win keeps the Spartans tied for second with Weddington, and a game back from Marvin Ridge with three games left in the Southern Carolina Conference schedule.

Sparans coach Keith Mason says the Rebels are on the upswing.

“Let’s not underestimate the improvements that coach (Jeff) LaFave has done; you can see they are improving,” Mason said. “They play hard and they are well-coached. With a team like us, if you don’t come out fully ready for that, they can jump on people. We came out lethargic.”

The Rebels led 10-2 midway through the first quarter, and 12-6 at the end of the quarter.

Parkwood would led nearly the entire first half before Sun Valley’s Kendall Ratliff hit a three-pointer from the left wing at the buzzer to give the Spartans their first lead of the night, 19-18 – one they would not relinquish.

“I knew that Kevin (Saxton) was going to give the ball up so I tried to get myself open,” said Ratliff of his team’s only three of the half. “In my mind I was going to make it.

Ratliff scored 13 points in the first half, including 11 in the second quarter, and finished the night with a game-high 22 points.

“Kendall has been killing himself about the Marvin Ridge game,” said Mason. “I told him he needed to have a breakout game (Tuesday) and tonight he played well. He needs that for his mindset.”

Ratliff was a light-scoring role player last year, but now the leading scorer is in a leadership position.

“I’m just trying to lead by example,” said Ratliff. “I know if I’m working hard, they are going to follow me.”

The Spartans clamped down on defense in the second half.

After giving up only six points in the second quarter, the Spartans used a 15-4 run and won the third quarter 18-7.

“I told the guys that you have to come out strong and you have to take any kind of confidence you gave them in the first half away,” said Mason. “We kind of sent the message early and we just maintained that.”

“The first half I wasn’t playing hard enough,” said Polk. “I told myself to pick it up and I came out strong.”

Mason says Polk’s effectiveness in the post is critical.

“When we can get the inside open for (Hakeem) it opens up a lot of other things,” said Mason. It’s just those buckets that you can guarantee you are going to get. Either (Hakeem) is going to get fouled or he is going to score.”

Leading the way for Parkwood was Terrell Williams, who knocked down three 3-pointers for nine points. The Rebels’ Sam Mobley added eight points and seven rebounds and James Houston pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

Both teams will be back in conference action on the road Friday, when Parkwood plays at Marvin Ridge and Sun Valley travels to Weddington.

Wednesday's late games
Union Academy at Cuthbertson
Central Academy at Forest Hills
Monroe at West Stanly

Friday's games
Parkwood at Marvin Ridge
Cuthbertson at Forest Hills
Sun Valley at Weddington
Monroe at Union Academy
North Stanly at Central Academy
Porter Ridge at Anson County
Piedmont at West Stanly

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